[CT diagnosis of palatal malignant tumors]

To investigate CT features of palatal malignant tumors and to evaluate, CT diagnostic value. CT manifestations of 32 cases of palatal malignant tumors were analyzed retrospectively. All cases were confirmed by pathology. There were 27 males and 5 females between 23 and 80 years of age. Axial contrast enhancement CT scan was performed in all cases, among them, nonenhancement CT scan was also performed in 8 cases and coronal CT scan was performed in 2 cases. The main signs of palatal malignant tumors were as follows: (1) Masses in palate in 26 cases, thickened palatal soft tissue in 6 cases and destruction of palate bone in 8 cases. The lesions were located in soft palate in 22 cases, in hard palate in 4 cases, and in the junction region between soft and hard palate in 3 cases; (2) Other adjacent structures and organs were involved in 27 cases; (3) Lymph nodes of neck metastasis were demonstrated in 17 cases. CT is an excellent technique, which can show the gross pathologic features and the invasion pathway of palatine malignant tumors, and it can provide some important information for the relevant clinical treatment and prognosis.